Log-debarking machine



Jan. 23, 1962 Filed March 11, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet i.

Oscar 71 F ulghum 1N VEN TOR.

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Jan. 23, 1962 o. T. FULGHUM 3,017,911

LOG-DEBARKING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 5

Oscar 7f Fulghum 1N VEN TOR 0. T. FULGHUM LOG-DEBARKING MACHINE Jan. 23, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 11, 1958 R. M 0 mm M WV 95 w 1 r. W W M c s o W idlldll Patented Jan. 23, 1962 inc 3,017,911 LOG-DEBAG MACHINE Oscar T. Fulghurn, Wadley, Ga. Filed Mar. 11, 1958, Ser. No. 720,599 1 Claim. (Cl. 144-208) The present invention generally relates to a log-debarking machine of a portable nature for use in areas adjacent a supply of logs for debarking of timber of any Size or species so that the same may be used in the pulpwood industry and the application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 618,239 filed October 25, 1956, for Log Debarking Machine, now Patent No. 2,841,195, granted July 1, 1958.

An object of the present invention is to provide a log debarker incorporating a support frame with means thereon for rotatably supporting a log to be 'debarked together with a longitudinally movable cutterhead swingable in a vertical plane and movable longitudinally for effectively debarking logs of varying sizes and species.

Another object of the present invention is to provide fluid pressure means preferably pneumatic for swinging the cutterhead in a vertical plane for effectively bringing the cutterhead into engagement with a log to be debarked.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide means on the supporting cradle of the log debarker for rotating the log about a longitudinal axis together with means for kicking the log away from the cradle after the log has been debarked.

A further object of the present invention is to: provide a log debarking machine which is easy to operate, simple and rugged in construction, easy to control and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the log-debarking machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the construction of FIGURE 1 with parts thereof broken away for illustrating certain of the structural details;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the log debarker taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the relationship of the component elements of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 44 of FIGURE 3 illustrating the structural details of the cutterhead assembly;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged-scale, detail sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the mechanism for moving the cutterhead longitudinally; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view illustrating the pneumatic piston-and-cy-linder arrangements for moving the cutterhead together with the control means therefor and the relationship of the component elements.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral ends by a pair of parallel, longitudinal frame members 16 which coact with the transverse members 14 for forming the rigid framework 12.

Adjacent each end of the framework 12 are four upstanding members 18 generally in the form of supporting legs which are rigidly secured to the framework 12 as by welding or by any other suitable fastening means. The upstanding members 18 are grouped at each end of the framework 12 and disposed adjacent the longitudinal members 16, one of which will be hereinafter called the rear longitudinal member.

The upper ends of the members 18 adjacent one end of the framework 12 are provided with an interconnecting support member 20 having a pivot axle 22 supported thereon and extending through a vertically disposed end plate 24. Longitudinally extending support rods 26 extend from the plate MB and are interconnected by an end member 28 for mounting a pulley 3%? in adjustable relation. A U-shaped bracket 32 is provided for the pulley 3d, the bracket 32 having a longitudinally extending rod 34 extending through an aperture in the end member 28 together with a longitudinally adjustable collar 36 thereon whereby the pulley 3d may be longitudinally adjusted.

The members 18 at the other end of the framework are interconnected by a supported plate 4?: having a bearing 42 thereon supporting a pivot axle 3-4 of a transversely extending vertical end plate 46.

Extending between the end plates 24- and 46 is a pair of elongated cylindrical members 43 which may be tubular for forming parallel longitudinal guides for a cutterhead assembly generally designated by the numeral 50.

The end plate 46 is provided with a forwardly extending arm or bar 52, a pair of piston-and-cylinder arrangements 54 and 56 extending between the free end of the bar 52 and one of the transverse frame members 14. The piston-and cylinder arrangements and 56 are disposed generally in alignment with the end plate 4 6 and are provided with a suitable control-and-operating mechanism generally desi nated by the numeral 58 and described hereinafter. By proper actuation of the operating-and-control mechanism 58, the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 55 will pivot the guide member it about the longitudinal axis formed by the pivot axles 44 and 22 thus tilting the cutterhead assembly 5% from an operative to an inoperative position or from inoperative position to an operative position. The piston and cylinder arrangement 54 maintains a constant resistance to movement of the cutterhead assembly 5% toward the log.

A horizontally disposed supporting plate 6% is provided along the upstanding members 1% in underlying relation to the plate M9 for supporting a suitable motor such as an electric motor 62 having a power pulley 64 associated therewith whereby a belt 66 may be employed for trans mitting rotational force to a pulley 53 and thus to a shaft '76 whereby the relative size of the pulley and 68 will cause a reduction in speed of the shaft 7 ii. The shaft 7t) is mounted in a speed-reducing unit '71 having an output shaft that is journaled in a suitable bearing block '72 and is provided with a sprocket receiving a sprocket chain 76 which extends longitudinally outwardly of the framework 12 for encircling engagement with an enlarged sprocket gear 78 on a shaft 8% which is journaled in longitudinally projecting bearing members 82. A cable drum 34- is attached to the shaft 80 for rotation therewith whereby the drum 84 Will be driven by the motor 62 for winding and unwinding a flexible cable One terminal end of the cable 86 is attached to one side of the cutterhead 50, extends above the guide members 58, is wrapped around the drum 84, then extends under the guide members 43 in substantially parallel relation thereto, and is then trained over the pulley 3d, the other terminal end being secured to the opposite side of the cutterhead 50 whereby rotation of the cable drum 84 will cause movement of the cutterhead 50 in relation to the guide members 48. The adjustable collar 36 permits variation in the position of the pulley 36 thus providing means for adjusting the tension on the cable 86. The motor 62 may be reversed for reversing the direction of travel of the cutterhead.

The cutterhead generally includes a pair of relatively short tubular sleeves or pipe members 855 slidably mounted on the guide members 48. Rigidly mounted on the sleeves 8'8 is an elongated supporting platform 96* having an elec tric motor 92 or other suitable prime mover mounted adjacent the rear end thereof, the motor being provided with a power pulley 94 of the muitiple-groove type for receiving a multiplicity of drive belts 96. The outer end of the platform 9% is provided with an articulately connected platform section 97 connected in a manner described hereinafter, the outer section 97 having a pair of depending bearing brackets 98 journaling stub shafts 100 having a cylindrical cutter 102 thereon which is provided with a multiplicity of radially projecting cutter blades 164. The cylindrical cutter 102 is elongated and extends for a major portion of the width of the platform section 97. The stub shafts 100 project beyond the confines of the platform 96 and are each provided with a multiple-groove pulley 166 for alignment with a pair of pulleys of the multiple-groove type, designated by the numeral 105, for receiving endless belts 107. The pulleys 165 are mounted on a transverse shaft 109 journaled above the platform section 97. The shaft 169 is provided with a central multiple-groove pulley 168 in alignment with the pulley 94 for receiving the drive belts 96 for effectively driving the cutterhead 102. Thus by bringing the cutter downwardly towards the bark 110 of a log 112, the bark may be effectively cut off of the log 112, since the cutterhead is movable longitudinally along the guides 48 while the cutter 162 is being driven. The piston-and-cylinder arrangement 56 may be employed by the operator for applying pressure to the end plate 46 thus pivoting the guideways about a longitudinal axis which extends between the guide guideways '43 thus pivoting the cutter 102 downwardly for engagement with the bark 110.

Disposed under the longitudinal path of movement of the cutter 102 is a log-rotating means which includes a pair of parallel shafts 114 and 116 arranged horizontally and mounted in suitable bearing members 11 8 on the upper surface of the transverse frame members 14. The shafts 114 and 116 extend lengthwise of the framework 12, the left-hand end of the outer shaft 114 extending beyond the corresponding end of the inner shaft 116 and being connected through a reduction-gear box 120 to an enlarged drive pulley 122 having a drive belt 124 encircling the same and also encircling a drive pulley 126 on an electric motor 128 which is mounted on a platform 129 on the end transverse member 14.

Each of the shafts 114 and 116 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced circular plates 130, the plates mounted on the shaft 114 having teeth or serrations 132 on the periphery thereof and the plates mounted on shaft 116 being smooth. The plates 130 are arranged in spaced pairs and form a cradle for the log 112 so that the teeth 132 can engage the log 112 and cause the same to be rotated when the members 130 are rotated. The right-hand end of the shafts 114 and 116 are each provided with a sprocket gear 134 having a sprocket chain 136 encircling the same whereby the shafts 114 and 116 and also the members 130 will be caused to rotate in the same direction as illustrated by the arrows in FIGURE 3 thus causing the log 112 to rotate in the opposite direction as shown by the arcuate arrow adjacent the log 112 in FIGURE 3. Thus, as the log 112 is rotated, the cutter 102 is moved longitudinally in relation thereto whereby the cutter blades 104 will effectively remove the bark 110 from the log 112.

A device is provided for removing the log 112 from the log cradle after it has been completely debarked and this means includes an elongated actuating rod 138 extending through bearing sleeves 140 on the front longitudinal member 16 and through notches in the transverse members 14. One end of the rod 138 is provided with a U-shaped yoke 142 for piovtal attachment to a connecting link 144 which in turn has its other end pivotally attached to an actuating handle 146 having its lower end pivotally attached to a supporting bracket 148. The link 144 is attached to the handle 146 in spaced relation to the bracket 148 whereby pivotal movement of the handle 146 about its transverse axis will cause longitudinal sliding movement of the actuating rod 138.

The actuating rod 138 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending shipper rods 150 each of which is provided with a bifurcated or substantially U-shaped yoke 152 on the inner end thereof, the yokes 152 all being in alignment and each being positioned between a pair of closely spaced shoulders 154 mounted on a slidable sleeve 156 on the inner shaft 116 of the logcradle construction. The sleeve 156 is provided with an enlarged extension portion 158 having a pair of longitudinal rod members 160 rigidly secured along its opposite sides as by welding 162. A similar cylindrical sleeve 164 is provided in spaced relation to the cylindrical extension 158 and is also secured to the rod members 160 by similar welding. The ends of the rods 160 project beyond the cylindrical sleeve 164 for engagement with a pair of arcuate projections 166 on the inner face of the circular plate member 130. The projections 166 extend laterally inwardly and are curved for intimately receiving the projecting ends of the rods 160 when the sleeve 156 is shifted longitudinally on the shaft 116 thus causing the sleeve 156, its extension 158, the sleeve 164, the shaft 116 and the circular plate 130 to rotate as a unit.

FIGURES l and 2 specifically illustrate the foregoing construction and a kicker bar 168 having angulated end portions 170 is secured to each set of rods 160 between the extension 153 and sleeve 164 as by welding 172. The kicker bar 168 extends beyond the limits of the circular plate 130 and due to the weight thereof will normally be disposed in a depending position as illustrated in FIGURE 2. When the rods 160 are engaged with the projections 166, the kicker bar 168 will rotate with the adjacent circular plate 130 thus moving upwardly and engaging the log 112 and rolling the same off the cradle formed by the circular plates 130. The action of the kicker bar 168 is aided by the rotation of those circular plates 130 on the outer shaft 114, such rotation assisting a log to roll off the cradle. The kicker construction is duplicated at each of the circular plates thus assuring removal of the debarked log.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 4 and the articulate connection between the platform 90 and the platform extension 97, it is pointed out that the platform 90 is provided with a pair of parallel transverse members 174 disposed under the top surface thereof. Also, the extension section 97 is provided with a pair of transverse brace members 176. Extending through and journaled in the brace members 176 is an elongated pivot shaft 178 which extends perpendicular to the transverse brace members 174 and 176 and will permit rotation of the section 97 in relation to the platform 90 about the axis of the shaft 178. Adjustable and removable collars 180 are provided on each end of the shaft 178 for retaining the sections 97 and 90 in assembled condition. With this construction, the section 97 may pivot about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the guides 48 so that the cutter 102 may orientate itself properly in relation to the incline of the bark or log. In other words when cutting a log having considerable taper the cutter 102 may automatically assume an incline which is most nearly parallel to the incline or taper of the log surface. This also facilitates debarking logs having irregular surfaces and permits the bark to be effectively removed with a minimum removal of wood which underlies the bark.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 6, the pistonand-cylinder assembly 54 includes a cylinder 182 pivotally anchored to the transverse frame member 14 by an anchor bracket 184. Slidable in the cylinder 182 is a piston 186 having a piston rod 188 extending upwardly therefrom and pivotally connected to the arm 52 by a U-shaped yok and pin 190. The upper end of the cylinder 182 is provided with a fitting 192 which is removable and which is provided with a filter screen 194 in an inlet fitting which permits atmospheric air to enter the top of the cylinder 182 when the piston 186 moves downwardly. Connected to the lower end of the cylinder 182 is an air line 196 which extends from a reservoir tank 198 provided with a valve 200, there being an inlet line 202 for the reservoir tank 198 and a regulator 204 being provided in the inlet line whereby the air pressure in the tank 198 will be regulated to a predetermined pressure. A compressor 206 is provided and is driven by an electric motor 208 or any other suitable prime mover through a belt drive 210. The compressor 206 is provided with a discharge line 212 which may empty into a pressure tank forming the base for the compressor and designated by the numeral 214. The inlet line 202 for the reservoir tank 198 is connected with the supply tank 214 as is an outlet line 216 which is provided with a pressure regulator 218, a pressure gauge 220 and a control valve 222 which is provided for selectively admitting air under pressure into one of two air-pressure lines 224 and 226. The air-pressure line 224 is connected to the lower end of a cylinder 228 forming a part of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 56 while the air-pressure line 226 is connected to the upper end thereof. A piston 230 is movable in the cylinder 228 and the cylinder 228 is anchored by a bracket 232. The piston 230 is provided with a piston rod 234 extending upwardly' therefrom and connected to the outer end of the arm 52 by a U-shaped-yoke-and-pin connection 236. By switching the control valve 222, air pressure may be admitted into and exhausted from the upper or lower end of the cylinder 228 with the valve admitting air in the lower end and releasing air from the upper end simultaneously or admitting air into the upper end and releasing air from the lower end simultaneously. By operating the control handle on the valve 222, the arm 52 may be causedto pivot or swing upwardly or downwardly in a vertical plane for effectively swinging the cutter 102 upwardly and downwardly. The piston-andcylinder arrangement 54 will exert a constant pressure upwardly on the arm 52 determined upon the pressure in the tank 198 which will be controlled by the pressure regulator 204 and which will be less than the force exerted by the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 56, In other words when the control valve 222 is moved to a neutral position, the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 54 will urge the arm 52 upwardly for urging the cutter 102 out of contact with the log whereby the normal position of the device will be with the cutter 102 raised so that logs may be rolled onto the cradle or kicked 01f of the cradle without interference from the cutter 102.

The advantage of having one set of circular plates 130 provided with a smooth surface is that the smooth surface tends to hold the log in the cradle in a more positive and substantial manner. There is also a definite advantage to the articulate connection in the cutterhead platform as this provides for the cutterhead following the contour of the logs. The average log is smaller at one end than the other While other logs may be crooked or knotty and the articulate connection permits the cutterhead to follow the contour of the log.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A log-debarking machine comprising an elongated stationary frame, cradle means on said frame rotatably supporting a non-traveling log thereon, said means including drive means for rotating the log about its longitudinal axis, means mounted on said frame for kicking a log off the log supporting means, a longitudinal guide assembly, upstanding means supporting the guide assembly above one edge of said frame, said guide assembly including a pair of spaced parallel guide members, end plates rigidly interconnecting said guide members, means pivotally supporting the end plates from the upstanding support means for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a log supported on the cradle means, a cutterhead assembly slidably mounted on said guide members, means connected to the cutterhead as sembly and supported from the upstanding support means for moving the cutterhead assembly longitudinally of the guide members, said cutterhead assembly including a laterally elongated support frame, a driven cutter mounted on the support frame for selective engagement with the periphery of a log when the guide assembly is pivoted about the pivot axis, one of said end plates having a laterally extending arm rigidly carried thereby, and a double acting fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly interconnecting said stationary frame and said frame in laterally spaced relation to the pivot axis of the guide assembly and forming the sole means for swinging the guide assembly and the cutterhead assembly about the longitudinal pivot axis of the guide assembly and moving the cutterhead in relation to the log, a fluid pressure cushioning assembly interconnecting the frame and arm for resisting movement of the arm and guide assembly in one direction about the longitudinal axis of the guide assembly, said cushioning assembly being operative to resist movement of the cutterhead toward the log whereby the cutterhead will move slowly toward the log, said cushioning means assisting in the movement of the cutterhead away from the log thereby causing rapid movement of the cutterhead to a position remote from the log, said cradle supporting means including a plurality of circular plates arranged in pairs in adjacent relation with the pairs forming cradles for supporting the log, parallel shafts supporting said plates, one of each pair of circular plates having serrated edges and being driven whereby the log will be rotated, said means for kicking the log off of the cradle means includes an arm disposed alongside of one of the plates, said arm having one end freely pivotally supported on one of said shafts and normally separated from said one plate whereby the arm will be disposed in dependent relation due to the force of gravity, normally spaced interengaging means on the arm and said one plate,

and means shifting said interengaging means on the arm into locking engagement with the interengaging means on the rotatable plate whereby the arm will rotate with theplate, said arm being longer than the radius of the plate for engaging the log supported by the plate and pushing,

the log off of both plates of each pair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,463 Eidsaether Mar. 17, 1914 1,107,821 Mesta Aug. 18, 1914 1,379,768 Larson May 31, 1921 1,783,019 Johnson Nov. '2 19 0 1,905,387 Kirkwood Apr. 25, 1933 2,291,499 Penick July 28, 1942 2,671,480 Efurd et al Mar. 9, 1954 2,681,670 Prentice June 22, 1954 2,795,320 Dillingham June 11, 1957 2,841,195 Fulghum July 1, 1958 

